Las Vegas, Jan. 25, 2026 — Justin Gaethje cemented his status as one of the UFC’s most electrifying fighters on Saturday night, defeating Paddy Pimblett by unanimous decision in a five-round war at UFC 324 inside T-Mobile Arena. The victory earned Gaethje the interim lightweight championship, marking his second time holding an interim title. Judges scored the fight 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47, reflecting Gaethje’s dominance throughout multiple rounds.
Nicknamed “The Highlight,” Gaethje (27-5) knocked Pimblett (23-4) down several times, using powerful uppercuts and punishing elbows while keeping the pressure relentless. Despite absorbing significant kicks from Pimblett, Gaethje maintained forward momentum, consistently putting Pimblett against the cage and controlling the pace of the fight. According to UFC Stats, Gaethje landed 219 total strikes compared to Pimblett’s 177.
“This is a crazy sport, an amazing life, and I’m so thankful to share it with you guys,” Gaethje said after the bout. “That Scouser does not get knocked out,” he added, referencing Pimblett’s famous claim that people from Liverpool are impossible to finish.
Pimblett, who entered the fight undefeated in the UFC at 7-0, showed remarkable toughness and credited Gaethje for the victory. “I wanted to leave with that belt,” Pimblett said. “But there’s no other man I’d rather lose to than ‘The Highlight.’”
The fight sets up a highly anticipated title unification bout against undisputed lightweight champion Ilia Topuria. Topuria, who is taking a personal leave to start 2026, has indicated he intends to face the winner of UFC 324 between April and June. Gaethje, who has historically been a UFC underdog, will likely enter as a betting underdog once again despite his dominant performance.
Gaethje previously won the interim UFC lightweight belt in 2020 after defeating Tony Ferguson and later challenged Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254 in what became Nurmagomedov’s final fight, losing by submission. His win over Pimblett adds another highlight to an already legendary career, reinforcing his reputation for thrilling, high-risk, high-reward fights.
Saturday’s bout was action-packed from start to finish, with swings in momentum that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Gaethje’s strategy was clear: cut off the cage, stay aggressive, and force Pimblett to fight at his pace. In the final round, Pimblett attempted an aggressive takedown, but Gaethje defended effectively and landed some of the fight’s hardest strikes, sealing his victory.
With this win, Gaethje not only claims the interim title but also positions himself for a historic unification matchup that promises to be another unforgettable showdown in the UFC lightweight division.
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